Hyundai Achieves Industry Milestone: 2026 IONIQ 9 and Santa Cruz Earn IIHS Safety Awards

Hyundai’s two more models have been recognized for their strong safety performance by the globally recognized Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). As part of the latest addition, the 2026 IONIQ 9 has secured the 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) award, whereas the 2026 Santa Cruz has earned a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) tag.

After these recent announcements, Hyundai now has eight 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ ratings and one 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK, making this South Korean automobile manufacturer lead the industry with nine 2025 IIHS TSP/TSP+ awarded vehicles. IIHS rates the safest vehicles in each category to help global customers make informed decisions.

With advancements in technology and innovation, the 2025 IIHS test criteria have now become even more strict for second-row occupant safety. Vehicles are now required to secure an adequate rating in the updated test to qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK, and a good rating for TOP SAFETY PICK+.

Cole Stutz, Chief Safety Officer at Hyundai Motor North America, said that the company is proud that IONIQ 9 and Santa Cruz have received top recognition in the world’s most prestigious automobile safety evaluations. The achievement underscores the brand’s commitment to deliver vices that set the standard for world-class safety, quality, and innovation.

For securing the 2025 TSP/TSP+ award, vehicles must secure good ratings in small overlap front and updated side tests, as well as an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, which tests performance in daytime and nighttime environments. Also, all variants of the selected model must come with acceptable or good-rated headlights. Moreover, an acceptable rating in the updated moderate overlap front test is adequate to qualify for TSP, but a good rating is necessary for TSP+.

In the present, Hyundai now has nine models in total holding IIHS TSP+ certification, including IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, IONIQ 9, KONA, TUCSON, SANTA FE, ELANTRA (AVANTE), and SONATA. There is one model, the Hyundai SANTA Cruz, that holds IIHS TSP recognition.